Rugby in India is set to make global waves as Rugby India, the official governing body for the sport, teams up with GMR Sports to unveil the Rugby Premier League (RPL) — the world’s first-ever franchise-based league dedicated to the fast-paced, Olympic-format of Rugby 7s. Scheduled to be held from June 1 to June 15, 2025, the inaugural season will take place at the Mumbai Football Arena (Brihanmumbai Kreeda Ani Lalitkala Prarthisthan Andheri Sports Complex).
A Global Showcase of Rugby 7s Talent
The RPL has secured a dedicated 15-day slot on the international Rugby 7s calendar, ensuring top-tier participation. The league will host 34 action-packed matches featuring six city-based franchises:
– Mumbai Dreamers
– Delhi Redz
– Bengaluru Bravehearts
– Chennai Bulls
– Hyderabad Heroes
– Kalinga Black Tigers
Fans can catch all the action live on Star Sports and JioHotstar, bringing the energy of Rugby 7s to screens across India and beyond.
Superstars of the Sport Headline RPL
RPL’s debut season boasts an impressive lineup of 30 marquee international players from rugby powerhouses such as New Zealand, Argentina, USA, South Africa, Fiji, Ireland, Australia, and more. Featured stars include:
– Perry Baker (USA) – Two-time World Rugby 7s Player of the Year
– Scott Curry (New Zealand) – Olympic silver medallist and 6-time World Series champion
– Terry Kennedy (Ireland) – World Rugby 7s Player of the Year 2022
– Waisea Nacuqu (Fiji) – Olympic gold and silver medallist
– Rosko Speckman (South Africa) – Dual Olympic bronze medallist
– Henry Hutchison (Australia) – Three-time Olympian
The league will also see participation from 18 additional players from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany, enhancing the competition’s depth and diversity.
A Big Leap for Indian Rugby
RPL will provide 30 Indian players, selected from a pool of 71, the opportunity to compete shoulder-to-shoulder with the sport’s elite — an unprecedented platform for domestic talent development.
World-Class Coaching at the Helm
Each team will benefit from the expertise of iconic international coaches, including:
– Mike Friday (USA 7s)
– Ben Gollings (Fiji 7s)
– DJ Forbes (New Zealand 7s legend)
– Tomasi Cama (Fiji 7s great)
– Paco Hernandez (Spain 7s)
– Tim Walsh (Australia Women’s 7s)
Voices Behind the Vision
GMR Sports CEO, Satyam Trivedi, emphasized the league’s transformative potential:
“The RPL represents a turning point for Indian rugby. It’s a powerful blend of global athleticism and local ambition. We’re proud to help shape the sport’s future in India through this one-of-a-kind league.”
Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, added:
“This has been a six-year journey, and we’ve built it the right way — with full support from World Rugby and the best partners in the business. RPL will elevate Rugby 7s in India and make it a must-watch global event.”
JioStar CEO-Sports, Sanjog Gupta, noted:
“We’re committed to redefining the sports entertainment experience. Rugby 7s is perfectly suited for today’s audience — fast, thrilling, and dynamic. RPL gives us a new frontier to engage passionate fans across India.”
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